'Freedom Riders' film on PBS
After watching the clip on the film we'll have small discussion about what this issue means to us and how digital media has given us an opportunity to shine light on issues that are important to us.
I would also like you all to brainstorm issues that are personally important to you. Try and think of topics that SMART talks about, or issues that are neglected in mainstream media and history books. If you had the chance to put together your own film or some other type of digital piece what would you want to talk about? What would you want people to take from it?
Feel free to leave comments on this post stating your ideas.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Chatspeak/Textspeak
Chatspeak/Textspeak
This and other notes are available online @ smartcomputerclass.blogspot.
Last week it came to my attention that some of us don't know chatspeak, or if we do we don't know a lot of it. Since it's coming to the end of the term why don't we take a break from all that dense stuff and have a little fun getting to know chatspeak. :)
Chatspeak (aka Textspeak) came into popularity around the time instant messaging (or IMing for short) was introduced to the world--but it really took off when more and more people started text messaging (or texting for short). Chatspeak takes the first letter of commonly used phrases and makes it somewhat it's own word. Those familiar with chatspeak are able to understand easily--but those that don't may be lost! Since it takes time to text and also since some people aren't very fast typers chatspeak provides a quick and easy way to send out messages. It is also the "language" of choice for avid twitterers (people who use twitter a lot...if you don't know what that is just ask and I'll explain haha...).
Okay so there's our little history lesson...now let's take a look at some chatspeak!
Just so you know this isn't a COMPLETE list...not even I know all the different chatspeak words...but these are pretty basic ones that will help out a lot.
ALSO--some of them refer to certain adult words. For the sake of keeping this page PG I've blanked them out, but you're all smart, you'll figure it out haha...
!!THE LIST!!
(I put a * next to the most commonly used ones...or at least the ones I use the most. ** means I use it a lot.)
.... - awkward silence/pause
! - surprise
? - confusion or questioning
@ - at
A/S/L? or ASL? - Age/Sex/Location?
ALOL - Actually Laughing Out Loud (because some people type LOL and it isn't true!)
ASAP - As Soon As Possible
BBQ - Barbeque (Yum)
BC or B/C - Because
*BDay or B-Day - Birthday
BF - Boyfriend sometimes Best Friend
BFF - Best Friend Forever
BFFL - Best Friends For Life
BFFLNMW - Best Friends For Life No Matter What
*BRB - Be Right Back
BYO - Bring Your Own
BYOB - Bring Your Own Beer
*Cmon or C'mon - Come on
*Cus - Because
D/L or DL - Download or Down Low
Dunno - Don't know
Enuf - Enough
EZ - Easy
FML - F--- My Life
FYI - For Your Information
*G2G - Got to Go
GF - Girlfriend
*Gonna - Going to
GR8 - Great
H8 - Hate
HW - Homework
*IDC - I Don't Care
*IDK - I Don't Know
IH8U - I Hate you
ILU - I Love you
*ILY - I Love You
IM - Instant Message
IMAO - In My Arrogant Opinion
*IMO - In My Opinion
IMHO - In My Humble Opinion
IMNSHO - In My Not So Humble Opinion
ISLY - I Still Love You
*IRL - In Real Life
JIC - Just In Case
*JK or J/K - Just Kidding
K - Okay
L8R - Later
*LMAO - Laughing My A-- Off
LMBO - Laughing My Butt Off
**LOL - Laugh Out Loud or soemtimes used for Lots Of Love, but typically people will think you're laughing if you type this. (sometimes lolz)
MLIA - My Life Is Average
Msg - Message
*NVM - Never Mind
**OMG - Oh My God (sometimes zOMG)
*ORLY - Oh Really
Pls/Plz - Please
PM - Private Message
POS - Parent Over Shoulder (added this one in case you're ever by your child/grandchild and you see them type this...hahaha...)
POS - alternative meaning Piece Of S--- (if it's not a kid typing then you can assume this is what they mean)
POV - Point Of View
Ppl - People
Prolly - Probably
RIP - Rest In Piece
*RLY - Really
ROFL - Rolling On the Floor Laughing
ROFLMAO - Rolling On the Floor Laughing My A-- Off
RT - ReTweet (Twitter reference)
RU - Are you
SMH - Shaking My Head
Sry - Sorry
STFU - Shut The F--- Up
Sup - What's up
Thx - Thanks
*TMI - Too Much Information
*TTYL - Talk To You Later
*TY - Thank You
*W/ - with
W/B or WB - Welcome Back
W/E - Whatever
*W/O - Without
*WTH - What The Hell/Heck
*WTF - What The F---
XOXO - Hugs and Kisses
ZZZZ - Sleeping or Bored
Someone sent you something not on this list? Try checking out this page for more chatspeak http://www.webopedia.com/
!!SMILEYS and OTHER STUFF!!
(I use these more than anything else)
<3 - heart
</3 - broken heart
:) - Smiley face
:( - Frowny face
:P - Sticking tongue out
P: - Something yummy....
:D - Big smile
D: - Big Frown
:O - surprise
XD - Laughing face
DX - Crying or angry face
>:D or >:) - evil smile
D:< - Really mad face
):< - Not happy
;) - winking/flirty
:') - Happy tears
:'( - crying
:* - kiss
^_^ - smiling cheerfully
-^_^- - blushing while smiling
>^_^< - cat smiling
O_O - surprise
OuO - Wide eyed smile
OwO - Kitty smile
X_x - Dead...
>_> - shifty eyes
= _ = - exhausted
-_- - annoyed/exasperated
@_@ - Dizzy or nerd with glasses (lol)
nlm - the middle finger
(_|_) - a butt or mooning
(>'-')> - Kirby or little ghost thing...
You can take a look at this list for more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Sam's Comments on Chatspeak/Textspeak:
I don't use very much chatspeak/textspeak anymore. I used to use it a lot when I was in elementary school and high school, but when I got to college I noticed that it had started to affect my grammar and writing skills. Because of that I have made it a point to type "longhand" as much as possible and not use too much chatspeak. IMHO kids today both benefit and suffer from chatspeak. Since they are learning abbreviations and "shorthand" typing before they learn how to even spell they're never really allowing themselves to learn spelling and grammar--because they don't need to in order to get their point across.
It's also important to remember that when you are online or testing the way you type becomes your voice. Someone who uses a lot of chatspeak and abbreviations is judged differently than someone who types "longhand." Always consider who you are sending your messages to and how you want them to perceive you. If it's your friend or sibling or some other peer feel free to type anyway that you want. If it's someone you don't know or an employer or someone of other importance skip the chatspeak, use spell check, grammar, and punctuation--you want to look as professional as possible. If it's your child, grandchild, niece, nephew, or some other young person make sure you really know the meaning of the chatspeak words your using before you use them, because they'll probably make fun of you if you get it wrong. Although, they'll probably make funny of you anyway because young people are ageist.
Anyway, now that we had a little crash course in textspeak/chatspeak it's time for our assignment for the day!
!!ASSIGNMENT!!
Part 1. Using mostly or only chatspeak/textspeak reply to this comment and write a few sentences.
Part 2. Think of phrases you like to use a lot and create your own chatspeak word. Reply to this comment again and tell us all what it is and when you use it.
!!QUESTION REVIEW!!
1. What does LOL mean?
A. Lots Of Love
B. Laugh Out Loud
C. All of the above.
2. What does SMH mean?
A. Shaking My Head
B. So Much Homework
C. All of the Above.
3. You would use XD when....
A. Laughing really hard at something funny.
B. Talking about HTML and coding.
C. All of the Above.
4. Which one of these is the REAL chatspeak word when stating an opinion about something?
A. IMO
B. IMHO
C. IMAO
D. All of the Above.
This and other notes are available online @ smartcomputerclass.blogspot.
Last week it came to my attention that some of us don't know chatspeak, or if we do we don't know a lot of it. Since it's coming to the end of the term why don't we take a break from all that dense stuff and have a little fun getting to know chatspeak. :)
Chatspeak (aka Textspeak) came into popularity around the time instant messaging (or IMing for short) was introduced to the world--but it really took off when more and more people started text messaging (or texting for short). Chatspeak takes the first letter of commonly used phrases and makes it somewhat it's own word. Those familiar with chatspeak are able to understand easily--but those that don't may be lost! Since it takes time to text and also since some people aren't very fast typers chatspeak provides a quick and easy way to send out messages. It is also the "language" of choice for avid twitterers (people who use twitter a lot...if you don't know what that is just ask and I'll explain haha...).
Okay so there's our little history lesson...now let's take a look at some chatspeak!
Just so you know this isn't a COMPLETE list...not even I know all the different chatspeak words...but these are pretty basic ones that will help out a lot.
ALSO--some of them refer to certain adult words. For the sake of keeping this page PG I've blanked them out, but you're all smart, you'll figure it out haha...
!!THE LIST!!
(I put a * next to the most commonly used ones...or at least the ones I use the most. ** means I use it a lot.)
.... - awkward silence/pause
! - surprise
? - confusion or questioning
@ - at
A/S/L? or ASL? - Age/Sex/Location?
ALOL - Actually Laughing Out Loud (because some people type LOL and it isn't true!)
ASAP - As Soon As Possible
BBQ - Barbeque (Yum)
BC or B/C - Because
*BDay or B-Day - Birthday
BF - Boyfriend sometimes Best Friend
BFF - Best Friend Forever
BFFL - Best Friends For Life
BFFLNMW - Best Friends For Life No Matter What
*BRB - Be Right Back
BYO - Bring Your Own
BYOB - Bring Your Own Beer
*Cmon or C'mon - Come on
*Cus - Because
D/L or DL - Download or Down Low
Dunno - Don't know
Enuf - Enough
EZ - Easy
FML - F--- My Life
FYI - For Your Information
*G2G - Got to Go
GF - Girlfriend
*Gonna - Going to
GR8 - Great
H8 - Hate
HW - Homework
*IDC - I Don't Care
*IDK - I Don't Know
IH8U - I Hate you
ILU - I Love you
*ILY - I Love You
IM - Instant Message
IMAO - In My Arrogant Opinion
*IMO - In My Opinion
IMHO - In My Humble Opinion
IMNSHO - In My Not So Humble Opinion
ISLY - I Still Love You
*IRL - In Real Life
JIC - Just In Case
*JK or J/K - Just Kidding
K - Okay
L8R - Later
*LMAO - Laughing My A-- Off
LMBO - Laughing My Butt Off
**LOL - Laugh Out Loud or soemtimes used for Lots Of Love, but typically people will think you're laughing if you type this. (sometimes lolz)
MLIA - My Life Is Average
Msg - Message
*NVM - Never Mind
**OMG - Oh My God (sometimes zOMG)
*ORLY - Oh Really
Pls/Plz - Please
PM - Private Message
POS - Parent Over Shoulder (added this one in case you're ever by your child/grandchild and you see them type this...hahaha...)
POS - alternative meaning Piece Of S--- (if it's not a kid typing then you can assume this is what they mean)
POV - Point Of View
Ppl - People
Prolly - Probably
RIP - Rest In Piece
*RLY - Really
ROFL - Rolling On the Floor Laughing
ROFLMAO - Rolling On the Floor Laughing My A-- Off
RT - ReTweet (Twitter reference)
RU - Are you
SMH - Shaking My Head
Sry - Sorry
STFU - Shut The F--- Up
Sup - What's up
Thx - Thanks
*TMI - Too Much Information
*TTYL - Talk To You Later
*TY - Thank You
*W/ - with
W/B or WB - Welcome Back
W/E - Whatever
*W/O - Without
*WTH - What The Hell/Heck
*WTF - What The F---
XOXO - Hugs and Kisses
ZZZZ - Sleeping or Bored
Someone sent you something not on this list? Try checking out this page for more chatspeak http://www.webopedia.com/
!!SMILEYS and OTHER STUFF!!
(I use these more than anything else)
<3 - heart
</3 - broken heart
:) - Smiley face
:( - Frowny face
:P - Sticking tongue out
P: - Something yummy....
:D - Big smile
D: - Big Frown
:O - surprise
XD - Laughing face
DX - Crying or angry face
>:D or >:) - evil smile
D:< - Really mad face
):< - Not happy
;) - winking/flirty
:') - Happy tears
:'( - crying
:* - kiss
^_^ - smiling cheerfully
-^_^- - blushing while smiling
>^_^< - cat smiling
O_O - surprise
OuO - Wide eyed smile
OwO - Kitty smile
X_x - Dead...
>_> - shifty eyes
= _ = - exhausted
-_- - annoyed/exasperated
@_@ - Dizzy or nerd with glasses (lol)
nlm - the middle finger
(_|_) - a butt or mooning
(>'-')> - Kirby or little ghost thing...
You can take a look at this list for more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Sam's Comments on Chatspeak/Textspeak:
I don't use very much chatspeak/textspeak anymore. I used to use it a lot when I was in elementary school and high school, but when I got to college I noticed that it had started to affect my grammar and writing skills. Because of that I have made it a point to type "longhand" as much as possible and not use too much chatspeak. IMHO kids today both benefit and suffer from chatspeak. Since they are learning abbreviations and "shorthand" typing before they learn how to even spell they're never really allowing themselves to learn spelling and grammar--because they don't need to in order to get their point across.
It's also important to remember that when you are online or testing the way you type becomes your voice. Someone who uses a lot of chatspeak and abbreviations is judged differently than someone who types "longhand." Always consider who you are sending your messages to and how you want them to perceive you. If it's your friend or sibling or some other peer feel free to type anyway that you want. If it's someone you don't know or an employer or someone of other importance skip the chatspeak, use spell check, grammar, and punctuation--you want to look as professional as possible. If it's your child, grandchild, niece, nephew, or some other young person make sure you really know the meaning of the chatspeak words your using before you use them, because they'll probably make fun of you if you get it wrong. Although, they'll probably make funny of you anyway because young people are ageist.
Anyway, now that we had a little crash course in textspeak/chatspeak it's time for our assignment for the day!
!!ASSIGNMENT!!
Part 1. Using mostly or only chatspeak/textspeak reply to this comment and write a few sentences.
Part 2. Think of phrases you like to use a lot and create your own chatspeak word. Reply to this comment again and tell us all what it is and when you use it.
!!QUESTION REVIEW!!
1. What does LOL mean?
A. Lots Of Love
B. Laugh Out Loud
C. All of the above.
2. What does SMH mean?
A. Shaking My Head
B. So Much Homework
C. All of the Above.
3. You would use XD when....
A. Laughing really hard at something funny.
B. Talking about HTML and coding.
C. All of the Above.
4. Which one of these is the REAL chatspeak word when stating an opinion about something?
A. IMO
B. IMHO
C. IMAO
D. All of the Above.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Software & Antivirus
We talked about hardware we could add to our computers, now let's take a look at software.
If hardware is made of the physical devices that you can add to your computer, then what is software?
Software is made up of the programs and applications you can install on to your computer.
Here are some examples of software:
Microsoft Suite
Adobe Suite
Dragon speaking software
Computer games like the Sims
Can you think of more examples of software?
There are lots of different types of software and countless programs and applications you can install on to your computer. Instead of focusing on all those different types of software we are just going to focus on one; antivirus software.
So what is antivirus software?
Antivirus software is software that detects, prevents against and eliminates malware.
Malware is made up of computer viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, adware, and any other computer threat. All of these things are bad for your computer but some of them are worse than others. If you ever want to protect and maintain your computer on your own it's good to know the difference between them. It can be a little confusing though, so if you can't remember it's okay!
Let's take a look at some of the categories of malware.
- computer viruses act a lot like real life viruses. The viruses attach themselves to existing files on a computer and corrupt them, then proceed to make copies of themselves to spread infection further. These viruses have the ability to spread from one system to another; making all computers they come across "sick." Viruses can be spread through attached files in e-mails, infected files on CDs, DVDs, USB drives, or anything else that can carry files from one computer to another, and downloaded from the internet. The best way to protect your computer from viruses is to be careful about who and where you're getting files from and to have a functioning antivirus program.
It is important to remember that computer viruses are malware, but not all malware are computer viruses. People generally like to use the term "virus" to refer to everything that has infected their computer--but this is an inaccurate statement.
- a computer worm in many ways can be a lot scarier than a virus. Worms don't need to attach themselves to files in order to make copies of itself. Ever received an e-mail from a friend to a link that didn't work that they said they didn't send or have had someone post something on your facebook page that they said they didn't write? These are examples of computer worms, they are spread through networks. Someone clicks on a link in an e-mail or on a post that they think was sent to them on a friend--then nothing happens. Or at least, it seems like nothing happens, in truth the worm has wiggled its way on your computer and will now send that same message to all of your friends. The destruction worms can cause varies and it typically not extremely terrible--however it can be. Most worms just take up space but others have the ability to "eat" or delete important files.
The best way to avoid getting worms is to be extremely cautious when clicking on links! Worms are designed to fool you into believing that they are harmless. You must be suspicious of every link and attachment someone sends--even if it's from your best friend. Keep in mind how your friends write to you, what are their digital mannerisms? If you receive an e-mail or a link with a generic and impersonal message that doesn't quite fit with the relationship you have with the sender just delete it and call and write them to see if it was something they really sent you. Better safe than sorry.
Here are some wormy phrases you should be aware of:
- "OMG you have got to see this picture of you doing (whatever)! I can't believe it (link)!" <--- plays on your insecurities or fears, makes you think that there are pictures of you on the internet you're not aware of.
- "Haha this is so cute/funny/crazy you have to see this (link)" <--- no indication of what "this" is, meant to peek your curiosity, plenty of variations of this
- "Make lots of money really fast! It worked for me and since you're my friend I had to show you! (link)" <--- this is also commonly used to infect your computer with other types of malware.
BE AWARE! TRUST NO LINK UNLESS YOU'RE CERTAIN!
- Phishing is done in a similar way to computer worms. Links that seem secure are posted, instant messaged, or e-mailed--but typically by strangers (who usually want to give you free stuff or lots and lots of money for no reason at all!). Phishing isn't really malware, but still something to be aware of because it is EXTREMELY EXTREMELY dangerous for you! The purpose of phishing is to steal your personal information. Fake websites that look exactly like real and trusted websites (i.e. Amazon.com) are created to collect your personal information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card information.
Since phishing doesn't infect your system with malware it's somewhat easy to avoid. When you click on a link to go somewhere check the address bar. Does the address in the address bar match up with the website you think you're on? The best way to be sure you're logging on to a website is to type in the address yourself and not click on other links to go there.
Another way to avoid getting your information stolen is to just delete those e-mails that promise you gifts and money. If someone were to offer you the same deal in real life, you would no doubt be suspicious--treat solicitors on the internet the same way you treat people in real life.
- Trojans or Trojan horses live up to their name. They appear to be harmless, even desirable, disguising themselves as useful software for your computer or entertaining applications. Ironically--the most successful trojans are ones that say they are antivirus software. Trojans trick you into downloading them on to your system and may actually do the tasks you downloaded them for--but meanwhile they are corrupting your system. They may download spyware and adware on to your computer, they may delete or corrupt your files, they may invade your privacy by watching your internet history, they may steal your passwords by copying down your keystrokes, they may be used by hackers to spy on your system. Dangerous, dangerous, deceptive things indeed.
The best way to avoid them is to not download things from the internet unless they are coming from a trusted site--and even then you should always be cautious. Also, spend the money on the name brand antivirus software! The "free" stuff might actually end up costing you a lot in the end! (Although AVG does offer a free version of their antivirus software here: http://free.avg.com/us-en/homepage, and that is free antivirus software you can trust)
- Spyware can be unintentionally installed on your computer by visiting certain websites or downloading trojans OR it can be intentionally installed on shared computers by someone who is trying to track another user (say a jealous girlfriend who thinks their boyfriend is cheating on them for example). But....we're just going to talk about the stuff that you download by accident...if you're interested in the other kind of spyware you can do the research on your own! Spyware can do lots of things when it's on your computer. It can collect your personal information, it can track your actions, it can log your keystrokes, it can slow down network connections and make your computer run slowly, and it can be really hard to detect and get rid of without good antivirus software.
Best way to avoid it is to, once again, avoid downloading things from the internet! Also, avoid going to unsafe websites.
- Adware is somewhat like spyware in the way it gets on to your computer--but at the same time it's the complete opposite. Adware lets you KNOW it's there. It bombards your computer with pop-ups and advertisements in an attempt to get you to buy something you don't want. Or even if you don't buy something--every time you click on one of those little pop-ups, someone, somewhere is making money. Adware alone is irritating and frustrating to get rid of, but--unless it's paired up with another type of malware such as spyware--it's the most harmless.
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR COMPUTER AGAINST INFECTION!
- Do NOT download things from the internet unless you are 100% certain its safe.
- Do NOT click on links you're unsure of.
- Do NOT trust e-mails from people you don't know.
- Do NOT trust "deals" giving you gifts or money.
- Do NOT download your antivirus software from shady websites.
- DO be cautious at all times.
- DO buy and install a trusted antivirus software such as Sophos, AVG, Norton, McAfee, etc.
- DO talk to tech support when buying a computer about ways you can protect your system.
- DO get your computer checked out as soon as it starts having issues--the problem will not go away and it'll get worse before it gets better.
- DO consider a Mac if you're really scared. Currently they are unaffected by malware :)
These are some of the tips I thought up, maybe you have some more suggestions?
I know all of this seems really scary and overwhelming at first, but that doesn't mean you should quit on learning how to use a computer! Malware has affected every computer users life at least once and honestly the consequences are typically not as bad as it could be. Remember, if you have a good antivirus program and keep it up to date you won't have to worry so much. :)
If hardware is made of the physical devices that you can add to your computer, then what is software?
Software is made up of the programs and applications you can install on to your computer.
Here are some examples of software:
Microsoft Suite
Adobe Suite
Dragon speaking software
Computer games like the Sims
Can you think of more examples of software?
There are lots of different types of software and countless programs and applications you can install on to your computer. Instead of focusing on all those different types of software we are just going to focus on one; antivirus software.
So what is antivirus software?
Antivirus software is software that detects, prevents against and eliminates malware.
Malware is made up of computer viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, adware, and any other computer threat. All of these things are bad for your computer but some of them are worse than others. If you ever want to protect and maintain your computer on your own it's good to know the difference between them. It can be a little confusing though, so if you can't remember it's okay!
Let's take a look at some of the categories of malware.
- computer viruses act a lot like real life viruses. The viruses attach themselves to existing files on a computer and corrupt them, then proceed to make copies of themselves to spread infection further. These viruses have the ability to spread from one system to another; making all computers they come across "sick." Viruses can be spread through attached files in e-mails, infected files on CDs, DVDs, USB drives, or anything else that can carry files from one computer to another, and downloaded from the internet. The best way to protect your computer from viruses is to be careful about who and where you're getting files from and to have a functioning antivirus program.
It is important to remember that computer viruses are malware, but not all malware are computer viruses. People generally like to use the term "virus" to refer to everything that has infected their computer--but this is an inaccurate statement.
- a computer worm in many ways can be a lot scarier than a virus. Worms don't need to attach themselves to files in order to make copies of itself. Ever received an e-mail from a friend to a link that didn't work that they said they didn't send or have had someone post something on your facebook page that they said they didn't write? These are examples of computer worms, they are spread through networks. Someone clicks on a link in an e-mail or on a post that they think was sent to them on a friend--then nothing happens. Or at least, it seems like nothing happens, in truth the worm has wiggled its way on your computer and will now send that same message to all of your friends. The destruction worms can cause varies and it typically not extremely terrible--however it can be. Most worms just take up space but others have the ability to "eat" or delete important files.
The best way to avoid getting worms is to be extremely cautious when clicking on links! Worms are designed to fool you into believing that they are harmless. You must be suspicious of every link and attachment someone sends--even if it's from your best friend. Keep in mind how your friends write to you, what are their digital mannerisms? If you receive an e-mail or a link with a generic and impersonal message that doesn't quite fit with the relationship you have with the sender just delete it and call and write them to see if it was something they really sent you. Better safe than sorry.
Here are some wormy phrases you should be aware of:
- "OMG you have got to see this picture of you doing (whatever)! I can't believe it (link)!" <--- plays on your insecurities or fears, makes you think that there are pictures of you on the internet you're not aware of.
- "Haha this is so cute/funny/crazy you have to see this (link)" <--- no indication of what "this" is, meant to peek your curiosity, plenty of variations of this
- "Make lots of money really fast! It worked for me and since you're my friend I had to show you! (link)" <--- this is also commonly used to infect your computer with other types of malware.
BE AWARE! TRUST NO LINK UNLESS YOU'RE CERTAIN!
- Phishing is done in a similar way to computer worms. Links that seem secure are posted, instant messaged, or e-mailed--but typically by strangers (who usually want to give you free stuff or lots and lots of money for no reason at all!). Phishing isn't really malware, but still something to be aware of because it is EXTREMELY EXTREMELY dangerous for you! The purpose of phishing is to steal your personal information. Fake websites that look exactly like real and trusted websites (i.e. Amazon.com) are created to collect your personal information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card information.
Since phishing doesn't infect your system with malware it's somewhat easy to avoid. When you click on a link to go somewhere check the address bar. Does the address in the address bar match up with the website you think you're on? The best way to be sure you're logging on to a website is to type in the address yourself and not click on other links to go there.
Another way to avoid getting your information stolen is to just delete those e-mails that promise you gifts and money. If someone were to offer you the same deal in real life, you would no doubt be suspicious--treat solicitors on the internet the same way you treat people in real life.
- Trojans or Trojan horses live up to their name. They appear to be harmless, even desirable, disguising themselves as useful software for your computer or entertaining applications. Ironically--the most successful trojans are ones that say they are antivirus software. Trojans trick you into downloading them on to your system and may actually do the tasks you downloaded them for--but meanwhile they are corrupting your system. They may download spyware and adware on to your computer, they may delete or corrupt your files, they may invade your privacy by watching your internet history, they may steal your passwords by copying down your keystrokes, they may be used by hackers to spy on your system. Dangerous, dangerous, deceptive things indeed.
The best way to avoid them is to not download things from the internet unless they are coming from a trusted site--and even then you should always be cautious. Also, spend the money on the name brand antivirus software! The "free" stuff might actually end up costing you a lot in the end! (Although AVG does offer a free version of their antivirus software here: http://free.avg.com/us-en/homepage, and that is free antivirus software you can trust)
- Spyware can be unintentionally installed on your computer by visiting certain websites or downloading trojans OR it can be intentionally installed on shared computers by someone who is trying to track another user (say a jealous girlfriend who thinks their boyfriend is cheating on them for example). But....we're just going to talk about the stuff that you download by accident...if you're interested in the other kind of spyware you can do the research on your own! Spyware can do lots of things when it's on your computer. It can collect your personal information, it can track your actions, it can log your keystrokes, it can slow down network connections and make your computer run slowly, and it can be really hard to detect and get rid of without good antivirus software.
Best way to avoid it is to, once again, avoid downloading things from the internet! Also, avoid going to unsafe websites.
- Adware is somewhat like spyware in the way it gets on to your computer--but at the same time it's the complete opposite. Adware lets you KNOW it's there. It bombards your computer with pop-ups and advertisements in an attempt to get you to buy something you don't want. Or even if you don't buy something--every time you click on one of those little pop-ups, someone, somewhere is making money. Adware alone is irritating and frustrating to get rid of, but--unless it's paired up with another type of malware such as spyware--it's the most harmless.
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR COMPUTER AGAINST INFECTION!
- Do NOT download things from the internet unless you are 100% certain its safe.
- Do NOT click on links you're unsure of.
- Do NOT trust e-mails from people you don't know.
- Do NOT trust "deals" giving you gifts or money.
- Do NOT download your antivirus software from shady websites.
- DO be cautious at all times.
- DO buy and install a trusted antivirus software such as Sophos, AVG, Norton, McAfee, etc.
- DO talk to tech support when buying a computer about ways you can protect your system.
- DO get your computer checked out as soon as it starts having issues--the problem will not go away and it'll get worse before it gets better.
- DO consider a Mac if you're really scared. Currently they are unaffected by malware :)
These are some of the tips I thought up, maybe you have some more suggestions?
I know all of this seems really scary and overwhelming at first, but that doesn't mean you should quit on learning how to use a computer! Malware has affected every computer users life at least once and honestly the consequences are typically not as bad as it could be. Remember, if you have a good antivirus program and keep it up to date you won't have to worry so much. :)
Friday, May 6, 2011
Memory
Last week we learned about how external hard drives can help preserve memory on a computer--but what exactly is memory and how can you tell how much you have available? Additionally, when buying a computer or digital device how do you you know if you're buying something with enough memory?
Webopedia defines memory as this:
"Internal storage areas in the computer. The term memory identifies data storage that comes in the form of chips, and the word storage is used for memory that exists on tapes or disks. Moreover, the term memory is usually used as a shorthand for physical memory, which refers to the actual chips capable of holding data. Some computers also use virtual memory, which expands physical memory onto a hard disk.
Every computer comes with a certain amount of physical memory, usually referred to as main memory or RAM. You can think of main memory as an array of boxes, each of which can hold a single byte of information. A computer that has 1 megabyte of memory, therefore, can hold about 1 million bytes (or characters) of information.
There are several different types of memory:
(http://www.webopedia.com/
They mention "bytes." Bytes are the unit of measurement for memory.
1 bit = smallest amount of memory
8 bits = 1 byte (B)
1,000 bytes (B) = 1 kilobyte (KB)
1,000 kilobytes (KB) = 1 megabyte (MB)
1,000 megabytes (MB) = 1 gigabyte (GB)
1,000 gigabytes (GB) = 1 terabyte (TB)
(a more extensive chart and explanation can be found at http://www.whatsabyte.com/ )
Currently, electronics are sold with a number of GB or smaller. Hard drives and computers seem to be the only things sold in TB. However, as our software and technology grows and demands more memory--devices will need to be sold with more memory. This is why computers made in the 90's (for example) cannot handle the same tasks that computers today handle with ease.
So let's put this into context:
iPhone comes in 8GB, 16GB or 32GB
iPad comes in 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB
Laptops are now sold with 250 - 320GB
Desktop computers are now sold with 640GB - 1TB
Digital cameras use memory cards with 2GB - 16GB or more
Assignment
For today's assignment we are going to do a scavenger hunt to help us understand how much memory is worth.
1. Find three pictures and figure out how big they are.
(Hint: if you search google images google will tell you how big the picture is. If you search on the computer click on the file and the size of the file will show up at the bottom of the window)
2. Find out how much memory an EMPTY folder uses.
(Hint: open any folder on the computer, right click, create new folder, click on the folder and at the bottom of the menu it will tell you how big it is)
3. Find three mp3s and figure out how much memory they use.
(Hint: search an mp3 download website. The size is usually listed)
4. Find out how much memory on your computer is used and how much memory you have left.
(Hint: open desktop folder click on my computer icon, stats will show on the side or the bottom)
Good at math?
Try and figure out how many pictures or mp3s you could download to fill up the space available on your computer :)
Question Review
1. How many bits are in a byte?
A. 6
B. 8
C. 10
D. They're the same thing just spelled different.
2. Which is bigger 1,000 KB or 1 MB?
A. KB
B. MB
C. They're equal.
3. Which is bigger 1,000 MB or 1 TB?
A. MB
B. TB
C. They're equal.
4. How many megabytes (MB) are in a gigabyte (GB)?
A. 1
B. 10
C. 100
D. 1,000
Webopedia defines memory as this:
"Internal storage areas in the computer. The term memory identifies data storage that comes in the form of chips, and the word storage is used for memory that exists on tapes or disks. Moreover, the term memory is usually used as a shorthand for physical memory, which refers to the actual chips capable of holding data. Some computers also use virtual memory, which expands physical memory onto a hard disk.
Every computer comes with a certain amount of physical memory, usually referred to as main memory or RAM. You can think of main memory as an array of boxes, each of which can hold a single byte of information. A computer that has 1 megabyte of memory, therefore, can hold about 1 million bytes (or characters) of information.
There are several different types of memory:
(http://www.webopedia.com/
They mention "bytes." Bytes are the unit of measurement for memory.
1 bit = smallest amount of memory
8 bits = 1 byte (B)
1,000 bytes (B) = 1 kilobyte (KB)
1,000 kilobytes (KB) = 1 megabyte (MB)
1,000 megabytes (MB) = 1 gigabyte (GB)
1,000 gigabytes (GB) = 1 terabyte (TB)
(a more extensive chart and explanation can be found at http://www.whatsabyte.com/ )
Currently, electronics are sold with a number of GB or smaller. Hard drives and computers seem to be the only things sold in TB. However, as our software and technology grows and demands more memory--devices will need to be sold with more memory. This is why computers made in the 90's (for example) cannot handle the same tasks that computers today handle with ease.
So let's put this into context:
iPhone comes in 8GB, 16GB or 32GB
iPad comes in 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB
Laptops are now sold with 250 - 320GB
Desktop computers are now sold with 640GB - 1TB
Digital cameras use memory cards with 2GB - 16GB or more
Assignment
For today's assignment we are going to do a scavenger hunt to help us understand how much memory is worth.
1. Find three pictures and figure out how big they are.
(Hint: if you search google images google will tell you how big the picture is. If you search on the computer click on the file and the size of the file will show up at the bottom of the window)
2. Find out how much memory an EMPTY folder uses.
(Hint: open any folder on the computer, right click, create new folder, click on the folder and at the bottom of the menu it will tell you how big it is)
3. Find three mp3s and figure out how much memory they use.
(Hint: search an mp3 download website. The size is usually listed)
4. Find out how much memory on your computer is used and how much memory you have left.
(Hint: open desktop folder click on my computer icon, stats will show on the side or the bottom)
Good at math?
Try and figure out how many pictures or mp3s you could download to fill up the space available on your computer :)
Question Review
1. How many bits are in a byte?
A. 6
B. 8
C. 10
D. They're the same thing just spelled different.
2. Which is bigger 1,000 KB or 1 MB?
A. KB
B. MB
C. They're equal.
3. Which is bigger 1,000 MB or 1 TB?
A. MB
B. TB
C. They're equal.
4. How many megabytes (MB) are in a gigabyte (GB)?
A. 1
B. 10
C. 100
D. 1,000
Friday, April 29, 2011
External Hardware
External Hardware
Okay so now that we've gone over the basics of computers (mouse, keyboard, pc, and monitor) now let's take a look at how you can customize your computer and make it even more powerful.
External Hardware are electronic devices that you can connect to your computer to serve different purposes.
The most commonly used pieces of external hardware are external hard drives and memory sticks, but there are other devices you can attach to your computer as well.
Every computer has a hard drive built in. This is where all the memory for the computer and data is stored. However memory on an internal hard drive is limited--especially on older computers. When this memory is used up a computer will run slower, some programs will not open or run properly, large files can't be saved, and downloads will fail or load very slowly.
Memory can be used up very fast if you install large or newer programs on an older computer, if you save a lot of video files or projects on your computer, if your computer is infected with spyware or viruses, or if you download a lot of music and movies from the Internet.
When it comes to using large programs or programs that require a lot of memory the best thing to do is first buy a computer that is equipped to handle the needs of the projects you want to do or install more memory in your old computer--but this requires some patience and skill.
External hardware can be used to supplement the memory on your computer so you can use the memory on your computer just for applications and programs--if you want to.
So let's look at some different types of hardware.
External Harddrive
This device acts just like the harddrive built in to your computer except that it can easily be connected and removed from your computer and is often times portable.
You can use and external harddrive to save all of your personal files such as your documents, music, pictures, and video files. This saves a lot of space on your computer for just running and installing programs.
Another benefit to having an external harddrive is that if your computer ever breaks down your files are safe on your harddrive because it can be connected to other computers.
NOTE: files on your external will not be lost if your computer breaks down, but if your computer had a virus and a file saved on your external was infected the virus can spread if you connect your hard drive to other computers.
External harddrives are also used to back up computers daily, so if something ever did happen to your computer all your work and settings would be saved. When an external harddrive is used to backup a computer it becomes a clone of that computer--a computer Mini Me.
Memory Stick
This is much smaller and easier to carry around than an external harddrive. However memory sticks don't have as much memory on them as external harddrives. Their main purpose is to transfer files from one place to another or from one person to another.
They can also be called flash drives, USB sticks, and that stick thingie--as well as many other names.
Another little quirk about memory sticks is that they come in so many varieties. You can get them in different colors, shapes, patterns, and even ones that look like your favorite cartoon characters.
Other hardware
External hardware does not apply only to memory devices but includes many different electronics as well.
Mouse and keyboard
Yes, your mouse and keyboard can be considered external hardware.
Camera or webcam
When you connect your camera to your computer it's considered an external device.
For computers that don't have cameras built in, web cams can be purchased and connected to your computer.
Tablets
Tablets are used by artists an designers as a way to draw easily on the computer. The pad acts as paper, the pen acts as a real pen or pencil. Some tablets also come with an additional mouse.
Printers and scanners
Printers are considered external devices.
Scanners can be used to copy images on to paper or to copy them on to your computer.
Nowadays you can easily buy all in one printer-scanner-copiers.
Wifi or bluetooth devices
For computers that don't have built in wireless or bluetooth receptors you can buy hardware (that looks like memory sticks) to connect you to wireless networks or Bluetooth.
Mp3 players
IPods and other mp3 players can be considered external hardware.
Other
There are many other random things you can connect to your computer. Some things useful--some things not. For example a USB fan may be useful on a hot day--but a USB hamster running on a wheel while you type may not be the most helpful device, even if it is amusing!
Basically anything you can plug into your computer is considered and external device!
Assignment
Go online and find one piece of external hardware that we talked about today.
Once you've done that find the SAME EXACT DEVICE on two other websites and answer the following questions:
(you can write your answers or email them to me for a real challenge. My email is Rodriguez.SamanthaJ@gmail.com)
1. How much does the device cost in NEW condition on all three websites?
2. Which website sells the device NEW at the lowest cost?
3. Which website is the most expensive?
4. Do any of the websites sell it refurbished or used?
4a. If so what are the USED prices?
5. Which site has the best deal overall?
Here are some hints on how to complete this assignment:
- visit:
Www.bestbuy.com
Www.amazon.com
Www.newegg.com
Www.eBay.com
Www.circuitcity.com
Or google "external harddrive" or "camera" or whatever you want to look for.
- once you find something you like copy the name and model of the device by highlighting it, right clicking an pressing copy.
Then open a new tab, go to google, and paste the name of the device in the search bar.
When you're done with the assignment show me what you've found.
Question review
1. What is a hard drive?
A. It is where floppy go.
B. It is where computer data is stored.
C. It is the device used to read CDs.
D. It is one of those sticks that you put in the USB port.
2. Which of these is external hardware?
A. External hard drive
B. Digital camera
C. Scanner
D. All of the above.
3. What is an external hard drive used for?
A. Backing up computer settings
B. Backing up personal files
C. Saving memory on internal hard drive.
D. All of the above.
4. True or false - when a computer crashes and the files are wiped out all of the files on the external hard drive are lost too. T or F
Okay so now that we've gone over the basics of computers (mouse, keyboard, pc, and monitor) now let's take a look at how you can customize your computer and make it even more powerful.
External Hardware are electronic devices that you can connect to your computer to serve different purposes.
The most commonly used pieces of external hardware are external hard drives and memory sticks, but there are other devices you can attach to your computer as well.
 | |
| Internal Hard Drive |
Memory can be used up very fast if you install large or newer programs on an older computer, if you save a lot of video files or projects on your computer, if your computer is infected with spyware or viruses, or if you download a lot of music and movies from the Internet.
When it comes to using large programs or programs that require a lot of memory the best thing to do is first buy a computer that is equipped to handle the needs of the projects you want to do or install more memory in your old computer--but this requires some patience and skill.
External hardware can be used to supplement the memory on your computer so you can use the memory on your computer just for applications and programs--if you want to.
So let's look at some different types of hardware.
External Harddrive
 |
| External Hard Drive |
You can use and external harddrive to save all of your personal files such as your documents, music, pictures, and video files. This saves a lot of space on your computer for just running and installing programs.
Another benefit to having an external harddrive is that if your computer ever breaks down your files are safe on your harddrive because it can be connected to other computers.
NOTE: files on your external will not be lost if your computer breaks down, but if your computer had a virus and a file saved on your external was infected the virus can spread if you connect your hard drive to other computers.
External harddrives are also used to back up computers daily, so if something ever did happen to your computer all your work and settings would be saved. When an external harddrive is used to backup a computer it becomes a clone of that computer--a computer Mini Me.
Memory Stick
They can also be called flash drives, USB sticks, and that stick thingie--as well as many other names.
Another little quirk about memory sticks is that they come in so many varieties. You can get them in different colors, shapes, patterns, and even ones that look like your favorite cartoon characters.
Other hardware
External hardware does not apply only to memory devices but includes many different electronics as well.
Mouse and keyboard
Yes, your mouse and keyboard can be considered external hardware.
Camera or webcam
When you connect your camera to your computer it's considered an external device.
For computers that don't have cameras built in, web cams can be purchased and connected to your computer.
 | |
| Wacom Tablet |
Tablets are used by artists an designers as a way to draw easily on the computer. The pad acts as paper, the pen acts as a real pen or pencil. Some tablets also come with an additional mouse.
Printers and scanners
Printers are considered external devices.
Scanners can be used to copy images on to paper or to copy them on to your computer.
Nowadays you can easily buy all in one printer-scanner-copiers.
 | |
| Wireless USB Adaptor |
Wifi or bluetooth devices
For computers that don't have built in wireless or bluetooth receptors you can buy hardware (that looks like memory sticks) to connect you to wireless networks or Bluetooth.
Mp3 players
IPods and other mp3 players can be considered external hardware.
Other
 |
| USB Fan |
 |
| USB Hamster runs as you type. |
Basically anything you can plug into your computer is considered and external device!
Assignment
Go online and find one piece of external hardware that we talked about today.
Once you've done that find the SAME EXACT DEVICE on two other websites and answer the following questions:
(you can write your answers or email them to me for a real challenge. My email is Rodriguez.SamanthaJ@gmail.com)
1. How much does the device cost in NEW condition on all three websites?
2. Which website sells the device NEW at the lowest cost?
3. Which website is the most expensive?
4. Do any of the websites sell it refurbished or used?
4a. If so what are the USED prices?
5. Which site has the best deal overall?
Here are some hints on how to complete this assignment:
- visit:
Www.bestbuy.com
Www.amazon.com
Www.newegg.com
Www.eBay.com
Www.circuitcity.com
Or google "external harddrive" or "camera" or whatever you want to look for.
- once you find something you like copy the name and model of the device by highlighting it, right clicking an pressing copy.
Then open a new tab, go to google, and paste the name of the device in the search bar.
When you're done with the assignment show me what you've found.
Question review
1. What is a hard drive?
A. It is where floppy go.
B. It is where computer data is stored.
C. It is the device used to read CDs.
D. It is one of those sticks that you put in the USB port.
2. Which of these is external hardware?
A. External hard drive
B. Digital camera
C. Scanner
D. All of the above.
3. What is an external hard drive used for?
A. Backing up computer settings
B. Backing up personal files
C. Saving memory on internal hard drive.
D. All of the above.
4. True or false - when a computer crashes and the files are wiped out all of the files on the external hard drive are lost too. T or F
Friday, April 15, 2011
Monitors
Their are a couple of different monitor options you can choose from:
- monitors come in a range of sizes
- newer TVs can be used as monitors
- all in one computers are built into their monitors
- monitors CRT or LCD screens.
- CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) use red green and blue light to create images. CRT devices are usually bulky and do not display hi def images
- LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) use crystals to display a wider range of colours. LCD devices take up less space and show higher quality images, but their screens can be easily damaged.
How CRT and LCD work
CRT, simply put, shines a sequence of red, green, and blue lights through tubes to create images.
LCD screens are made up of several layers. One layer shines white light (which is made of all colors) through, other layers block certain colors from shining through, and the last layer displays the result.
Things you should never do to your monitor
- don't hit or drop it
- don't poke it if you have a LCD (soft screen monitor)
- don't put a magnet or magnetic devices near or on your monitor
- don't try to eat it when you're hungry
Things you should do to your monitor
- turn it off when you're not using it
- wipe it and your keyboard down with disinfectant wipes every so often
- dust it off every so often
- treat it kindly
Things you could do to your monitor...but can be weird
- put stickers on it
- give it a name
- give it a personality
- call it your boyfriend
Random facts about monitors
- when there is a black dot on your screen this is what is called a "dead pixel." This only happens on LCD screens.
- pixels are tiny squares of colour that when grouped together make an image. On a LCD screen there are thousands of little pixels. When one of these pixel lights burn out it leaves a black spot--the dead pixel.
- higher resolution screens mean that a screen has more colour variety and more pixels to show details clearer.
- LCD technology was originally used for laptops, then desktops, and now TVs too.
- CRT technology is why TV's nickname is "the tube"
Assignment
- Get on a computer and appreciate your monitor.
- open up a program you never used before and learn what it's about. Use it, create something with it, and write a comment on the blog about what it's about. When you're done report to me about what you learned.
Question Review
1. LCD stands for...
A Liquid Chlorine Display
B Liquid Carbon Dating
C Liquid Crystal Display
D Liquid Carbon Display
2. Which of these devices use LCD technology?
A TV
B Laptop
C Desktop
D All of the above
3. What does CRT stand for?
A Crystal Ray Tube
B Cathode Ray Tunnel
C Crystal Ray Tunnel
D Cathode Ray Tube
4 What colors does CRT use to display images?
A red, yellow, blue
B red, green, blue
C red, yellow, green, blue
D all of them
Extra credit
What kind of monitors do the desktop computers have? (at SMART)
A CRT
B LCD
Thursday, April 7, 2011
PC vs. Mac
Although these commercials are obviously a bit biased, I thought they would be a nice way for us to start our class today.
Last week we talked about mice and keyboards--basic components of nearly every modern day computer. This week we are going to talk about the computer itself.
We could go into the whole history of how personal computers came to be...but that is a pretty long history, and a mostly irrelevant to our needs today. So instead, we're going to go through a brief history of PCs, Macs, and different operating systems.
Let's start with PC
PC
PCs started out as the black screened green texted (otherwise known as command-line interface) word processors you see to your left (some of you may be familiar with this), but have evolved greatly over the past three decades into the computers we know and love today.
PC is not a brand. It is a type. Therefore there are a variety of PC brands that you can choose from such as; Dell, Toshiba, Acer, and Gateway--just to name a few.
PCs typically run on a Windows OS or Operating System. An Operating System is a program that makes it easier to run hardware resources and software. Every OS is different. We'll talk a bit more about Operating Systems later. However, when talking about PCs, Windows is almost always implied since it is the major OS sold on Personal Computers.PCs are mostly popular with older computer users, coders, programmers, businesses, accountants, and really anyone in a profession that requires the use of programs such as Excel, Powerpoint, and Word. They also appeal to Xbox users, but this is mostly for gaming purposes.
Does everyone follow? Are their any questions before we continue?
So what makes PCs great....and not so great?
PCs/Windows OS Pros
- PCs are great for people who are already familiar with how to use a computer. All the codes and tricks you may have learned on a word processor still apply on PCs.
- PCs are great for business; even though Microsoft office can run on Mac computers, most businesses (unless they are for design based) typically choose PC over Mac.
- With new advances to Windows--such as Windows Live and "the Cloud"--the business benefits of having a PC are even better. Personal benefits are great too.
- Despite Mac's criticism of PC, Windows newest OS--Windows 7--has a lot of design tools that are both easy to use and create great products.
- Since there is such a wide variety of PCs and brands you can choose from you can find a PC at a much better price than a Mac.
- The variety of PCs also allows for you to find a computer that works with you best.
- Repairing your PC is also a lot easier than when you have a Mac, you can go to nearly any computer store or repair shop for assistance.
- PCs are also the top choice for coders and programmers.
Questions? Comments? Additions?
 |
| "Blue Screen of Death" |
- PCs are susceptible to virus and spyware
- There are many known glitches in the newest Windows Operating Systems--though these are being worked out.
- PCs are not intuitive, so for new computer users they can seem very difficult to navigate.
- PCs really do require some knowledge in programming and how computers work. Otherwise, when something goes wrong--unless you know someone who knows computers--it's very difficult for a novice to correct the problem.
- Even though PCs have new programs for movie making and designing, they are still not the top choice for creative/artistic endeavors.
- PCs sometimes have difficulty recognizing new hardware.
- (In my opinion) troubleshooting an issue on a PC is very rarely successful. You'd have an easier time looking up your issue on Google.
- PCs have a tendency to crash and blue screens mean certain death for your computer (PCs seem to be very frail things)
Questions? Comments? Additions?
Now let's take a look at Macs
Mac
Macs are actually a type of Personal Computer, but they are never referred to as PCs because they are branded. Macs are MACS--the enemy of PCs. Mac or Macintosh computers and Operating Systems are products of Apple, Inc. Macs were actually the first Personal Computers to move away from the command-line interface (the black background and green text) and use a graphical interface and a mouse. So, from the very start Macs have been very visual/design-based.
Though the first of its kind, Macs had a hard time outshining Windows computers. It may be surprising for you to know that these, now designer computers, ran really cheap in the 90's just so they would get business.
However, when the 1998 iMac all-in-one arrived--it's sleek design and colours won over many consumers and Apple Inc. has only been moving up since then.
Macs run on their own Operating System, however, newer Macs are capable of running both the Windows Operating System and the Mac Operating System.
Macs are popular among young people, new computer users, graphic designers, musicians, artists, filmmakers, and...let's face it--trend followers.
How's it going? Any questions? Lose anybody?
So what makes a Mac better....or worse?
Mac Pros
- Macs are typically a lot sleeker and prettier than other PCs
- Apple offers amazing customer service that is most often free
- Macs are way more intuitive and easy to use, which is really great for new computer users.
- Macs do not get viruses or spyware
- Installing new hardware and software on Macs is quick and easy
- With Macs you don't have to choose your favorite OS, you can have both
- iLife includes a lot of great programs that make designing and creating music, movies, and images easy and accessible to everyone
- Forgot where you saved a file? If you know the name Mac's search bar pulls it up instantly unlike Windows which has to do a long and extensive search.- The lifespan of Mac computers is much longer than PCs because it is so much more difficult to break them down.
- Opening programs is a lot faster and easier than on Windows because there are no drop down menus to go through--all your top programs are located at the bottom of the screen.
Questions? Comments? Additions?
Mac Cons
- Even though Macs can run the same programs as Windows, PCs are still preferred by businesses over Macs
- Macs tend to be much more expensive than PCs
 | |
| "Marble/Windmill of Doom" |
- Although they don't get viruses, when overloaded Macs may sometimes get "the windmill/marble of doom"
- Macs are not compatible with all programs--some are strictly PC only.
- Macs do not have all of the same ports PCs do which make them very difficult to connect to TVs, projectors, and other devices.
- Macs have no right click button, by default.
- Macs have different shortcuts than PCs do, so a former PC user must reteach themselves when using a Mac
- Though Macs are considered more sleek in design their customization options are very limited.
- Macs can only use Mac accessories.
- When sending files from a Mac PC users may have a hard time seeing or opening them; a special program must be downloaded for compatibility.
Questions? Comments? Additions?
PCs/Windows and Macs are so popular and well known it often seems like they are the only options available for people looking for computers or Operating Systems. The truth is that there are less popular alternatives that you can choose from as well.
Let's take a look at some a couple alternatives. Just know that these are just some examples. There are more options to choose from and if you're interested, I would encourage you to research them more on your own.
Alternative PCAlienware Personal Computers and hardware are products of Dell. Alienware sells desktops, laptops, headphones, and other digital accessories. Alienware has a very unique sci fi look and are completely customizable.
Alienware computers are ideal for gaming, video editing, audio editing, and simulations. However, Alienware computers major function is for high performance gaming.
 |
| Tux the Linux mascot |
Next to Windows and Mac, Linux is the next leading OS. Linux is free to download and use and welcomes all users to modify and share their modified program with others.
Even though Linux is free to use, it is not nearly as user friendly as Windows and Mac. Use of Linux requires a lot of computer knowledge and is not recommended for new users who are not interested in learning about coding. (This is my personal opinion, Linux users may disagree)
Since users are allowed to modify Linux there are many different versions of the OS. Therefore, some versions of it may be easier to use than others.
Do you know of any other Operating Systems or special Personal Computers?
Now what if you're looking to buy a new computer? How do you choose when you have so many options and people are telling you so many different things?
Here are some tips to keep in mind that will hopefully help you if or when you decide to buy a computer.
Tips for Buying a Computer:
- Do your research! Commercials may be funny, entertaining, and convincing--but they might not tell you the whole truth! If you're interested in a certain type of computer look up customer reviews, look up any glitches the computer or system is known for, check out the computer's best features. Investing some time in doing your research can save you a lot of money and frustration in the long run.
- Try before you buy. Go to Best Buy or whatever store you're thinking of purchasing from and try out different computers; that's why they're on display! If it's not busy take your time to really get to know how the computer works. The Apple store can often be a busy place but if you can find time to get there during off hours it's a great place to test out all of Apples products (and the workers are very helpful). Even if you plan to buy online. Try and find a store to check out the computer you want first.
- Don't be afraid to ask questions. If a sales person is telling you all the features a computer has and you have no idea what they're talking about ask them to explain. You'll learn more but you'll also make sure that you don't agree to something you're not really interested in. Also remember to come in with questions and some idea of the type of things you want your computer to do (i.e. edit videos, organize pictures, have an organizer, whatever).
- Cheaper is not always better. If you have your heart set on a particular computer but there is a cheaper deal available for another computer don't feel obligated to change your mind. Save up the extra money for the computer you want, don't settle for something you don't. Good computers are hard to come by and--chances are--if you're buying a cheap computer you're probably going to need to start looking for a new one in a year. Even with the rapid growth of technology, a good computer is an investment.
- Don't believe the hype. Just because something is popular doesn't mean it's the best option for you. Don't fall victim to witty advertising and pretty packaging.
- Ask around. Find out what computers the people you know lose and what their opinions on them are; what do they like about their computer? What do they dislike? Why did they chose their computer above all others?
- Lastly, don't be hasty. Believe it or not, buying a computer is a big commitment; it's like adding a new member to the family. You have to take care of it, you have to pay its hospital bills, you have to keep it in good shape, you have to get along and work well with it for however long it's in your home. Take your time picking out the right one!
Question Review
1. What does OS stand for?
A. Operating System
B. Operator System
C. Operating Signal
D. Operator Signal
2. Which of these is a type of PC?
A. Linux
B. Matrix
C. Alienware
D. Ubuntu
3. Which of these is a type of OS?
A. Alienware
B. Linux
C. Matrix
D. Dell
4. Which OS was the first to use a graphical interface?
A. Windows
B. Wintel
C. Macintosh
D. None of the Above
Resources and further reading:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_computer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operating_system
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_OS
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macintosh
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alienware
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Let's Type!
Welcome back everyone! For Spring 2011 we are going to focus on various aspects of the computer as a whole. We are going to start off our first week looking at the mouse and the keyboard.
Everyone will get on a computer or work with a partner and we will go through the lesson together. If you have any questions you may raise your hand at any time and ask.
Computer Mouse
Here is a picture of a basic PC computer mouse.
Do you know all the ways it functions?
- Your mouse can connect to your computer in several ways. This mouse connects to the PC. Many mice now connect to your computer through a USB port or wirelessly.
Are you using a wireless or a connected mouse? Can you tell where it's connected to?
- When you move the mouse the arrow on your screen moves too. This is because underneath the mouse is a ball or a motion detecting laser that tracks the movement and direction of the mouse. Mice are typically made now with lasers because they are more efficient and don't break as easily.
Try moving around the mouse. Does yours work with a laser or a ball? You can turn it over and take a look.
- The left button on the mouse is to click on buttons and links or to open programs. Usually you have to double click to open a program and only click once for a button or a link. Every time you click on a link or button you are resending a command to a computer. It's best just to wait for the link to load. Clicking it over and over actually makes it take longer!
Test out your left mouse button by clicking the arrows on the scroll bar. If you click and hold the arrow facing down the page will go down. If you click the arrow facing up, the page will go up.
- You can also use the left button to highlight or select thing by holding it down and dragging it across what you want to highlight or select.
Try highlighting this sentence right here.
- The right button reveals hidden menus. You can use this button to save pictures, copy. paste, and many other things. NOTE: Computer mice mad for Mac computers don't always have right buttons. Either the right button is located on the sides of the mouse or you have to press the command key on the keyboard and click.
Test out the right click button by clicking on the mouse picture and saving it.
- Many mice now have a button in the middle. This allows you to scroll up and down a page without having to click the up/down arrows. What happens when you click it usually depends on the computer you're on.
If you have a mouse with a middle button try scrolling up and down. All you need to do is roll it. See what happens when you click it.
- Mice come in all shapes and sizes. Mine, for example, glows rainbow colors and has a floating Hello Kitty in a bathtub!
When getting a computer accessorizing can be a fun way to express yourself.
Keyboard
Keyboards have many amazing functions! You can spend an entire day learning about all the ways you can work on a keyboard, but for today we are going to focus on the basic functions of a keyboard.
- All the letters and numbers are clearly labeled on the keyboard, as are all forms of punctuation. This set up is pretty basic and doesn't change much from keyboard to keyboard.
Take a look at your keyboard and try to remember where everything is.
- Traditionally, when you type you are supposed to place your index fingers on F and J, your middle fingers on D and K, your ring fingers on S and L, your pinkie fingers on A and ;, and your thumbs rest on the space bar (the long blank bar at the bottom). From this position you are supposed to work your way around the keyboard. It's much faster than typing with one finger, but it takes practice to learn!
Is this how you type? Try putting your hands on the keyboard the way they are supposed to sit. What does it feel like? Try typing your name this way in the textbox below.
- The space bar is the long blank bar at the bottom of the keyboard and is used to make gaps between words when you are typing. The tab key has a few functions; when filling out a form it can jump from one box from the next or it could make an indent when you are typing or it may do nothing at all. It depends on the system you are working on and what program you are using. The return or enter key jumps to the next line when you are typing. The delete or backspace key goes back to the last line or erases what you have typed.
Use the textbox below to experiment with the space bar, tab key, backspace/delete key, and enter/return key. Type some things in first so you have something to work with.
- The caplocks key puts all of the letter you type IN CAPITALS LIKE THIS. The shift key puts only the keys you hit at the same time as shift in Capital LikE wHeN I do This. (To capitalize the letters I hit shift and the letter) You know the caplocks key is on if it is lit up somewhere on the keyboard. Sometimes it will be the key itself that is lit, sometimes it will be an A lit up on the keyboard. The shift key is also used on the keys that have more than one option such as the punctuation keys, the number keys, and the function keys. Click shift + the key to get the second options.
Use the textbox below to test out the caplocks key and the shift key. On the first line type with the caplocks. On the second line type using the shift key and only click the letters you want to capitalize or test out the punctuation and number options.
- the numlock key enables the right side of the keyboard; the side with the number keypad. If this side isn't working for you it's probably because you have to hit numlock! You know when numlocks is enabled when it is lit up or a 123 light is on.
Test out the number keypad in the box below. See if it works if numlock isn't on.
- The arrow keys can be used to move from one place in your text to another without having to use a mouse. You can also use them to scroll a page. They only work when scrolling a page if you aren't typing in a textbox. You know when you are in a textbox when there is something like | blinking. Some keyboards even have page up/page down buttons that you can use for scrolling too, whether you're typing or not.
Try scrolling this page using only your arrow keys.
- Another important button is esc or the escape key located at the top left of your keyboard. This is like an emergency escape. If you are in a program you don't want to be in and you can't get to your mouse fast enough or your mouse isn't working hit esc. Or you can use esc to close out of any program. Don't try this out now though or you will have to reopen today's lesson.
- These are just some of the basics of typing and using a keyboard. As I mentioned before, different keyboards have different functions built in. I work on a Mac keyboard so from my keyboard I can adjust the volume of my computer, play my music in itunes, eject CDs, and play DVDs. Like computer mice keyboards can also be wireless.
Do you know some of the other functions a keyboard has? Do you see any keys on the keyboard you're using that we didn't talk about?
Assignment
Test out everything you learned today by writing me a letter in the comment box below and clicking (ONCE) "post comment." If you already knew everything we talked about today you can tell me what you would like to learn or tell me something you think I forgot to talk about.
When you're all done we will go over the questions again.
Pre/Post Question Review
1. What is the middle button on a mouse used for?
A. There is no middle button.
B. Decoration.
C. Scrolling.
D. Saving images.
2. How many times do you need to click on a link for it to load?
A. As many times as it takes for it to pop up.
B. Once.
C. Twice.
D. It doesn't matter as long as you click it.
3. What is the tab key used for?
A. Making a space or an indent.
B. Jumping textboxes.
C. All of the above.
D. None of the above.
4. T or F - All computer mice and keyboards need to be connected to a computer by a wire in order to work.
Everyone will get on a computer or work with a partner and we will go through the lesson together. If you have any questions you may raise your hand at any time and ask.
Computer Mouse
Here is a picture of a basic PC computer mouse.
Do you know all the ways it functions?
- Your mouse can connect to your computer in several ways. This mouse connects to the PC. Many mice now connect to your computer through a USB port or wirelessly.
Are you using a wireless or a connected mouse? Can you tell where it's connected to?
- When you move the mouse the arrow on your screen moves too. This is because underneath the mouse is a ball or a motion detecting laser that tracks the movement and direction of the mouse. Mice are typically made now with lasers because they are more efficient and don't break as easily.
Try moving around the mouse. Does yours work with a laser or a ball? You can turn it over and take a look.
- The left button on the mouse is to click on buttons and links or to open programs. Usually you have to double click to open a program and only click once for a button or a link. Every time you click on a link or button you are resending a command to a computer. It's best just to wait for the link to load. Clicking it over and over actually makes it take longer!
Test out your left mouse button by clicking the arrows on the scroll bar. If you click and hold the arrow facing down the page will go down. If you click the arrow facing up, the page will go up.
- You can also use the left button to highlight or select thing by holding it down and dragging it across what you want to highlight or select.
Try highlighting this sentence right here.
- The right button reveals hidden menus. You can use this button to save pictures, copy. paste, and many other things. NOTE: Computer mice mad for Mac computers don't always have right buttons. Either the right button is located on the sides of the mouse or you have to press the command key on the keyboard and click.
Test out the right click button by clicking on the mouse picture and saving it.
- Many mice now have a button in the middle. This allows you to scroll up and down a page without having to click the up/down arrows. What happens when you click it usually depends on the computer you're on.
If you have a mouse with a middle button try scrolling up and down. All you need to do is roll it. See what happens when you click it.
- Mice come in all shapes and sizes. Mine, for example, glows rainbow colors and has a floating Hello Kitty in a bathtub!
Keyboard
- All the letters and numbers are clearly labeled on the keyboard, as are all forms of punctuation. This set up is pretty basic and doesn't change much from keyboard to keyboard.
Take a look at your keyboard and try to remember where everything is.
- Traditionally, when you type you are supposed to place your index fingers on F and J, your middle fingers on D and K, your ring fingers on S and L, your pinkie fingers on A and ;, and your thumbs rest on the space bar (the long blank bar at the bottom). From this position you are supposed to work your way around the keyboard. It's much faster than typing with one finger, but it takes practice to learn!
Is this how you type? Try putting your hands on the keyboard the way they are supposed to sit. What does it feel like? Try typing your name this way in the textbox below.
- The space bar is the long blank bar at the bottom of the keyboard and is used to make gaps between words when you are typing. The tab key has a few functions; when filling out a form it can jump from one box from the next or it could make an indent when you are typing or it may do nothing at all. It depends on the system you are working on and what program you are using. The return or enter key jumps to the next line when you are typing. The delete or backspace key goes back to the last line or erases what you have typed.
Use the textbox below to experiment with the space bar, tab key, backspace/delete key, and enter/return key. Type some things in first so you have something to work with.
- The caplocks key puts all of the letter you type IN CAPITALS LIKE THIS. The shift key puts only the keys you hit at the same time as shift in Capital LikE wHeN I do This. (To capitalize the letters I hit shift and the letter) You know the caplocks key is on if it is lit up somewhere on the keyboard. Sometimes it will be the key itself that is lit, sometimes it will be an A lit up on the keyboard. The shift key is also used on the keys that have more than one option such as the punctuation keys, the number keys, and the function keys. Click shift + the key to get the second options.
Use the textbox below to test out the caplocks key and the shift key. On the first line type with the caplocks. On the second line type using the shift key and only click the letters you want to capitalize or test out the punctuation and number options.
- the numlock key enables the right side of the keyboard; the side with the number keypad. If this side isn't working for you it's probably because you have to hit numlock! You know when numlocks is enabled when it is lit up or a 123 light is on.
Test out the number keypad in the box below. See if it works if numlock isn't on.
- The arrow keys can be used to move from one place in your text to another without having to use a mouse. You can also use them to scroll a page. They only work when scrolling a page if you aren't typing in a textbox. You know when you are in a textbox when there is something like | blinking. Some keyboards even have page up/page down buttons that you can use for scrolling too, whether you're typing or not.
Try scrolling this page using only your arrow keys.
- Another important button is esc or the escape key located at the top left of your keyboard. This is like an emergency escape. If you are in a program you don't want to be in and you can't get to your mouse fast enough or your mouse isn't working hit esc. Or you can use esc to close out of any program. Don't try this out now though or you will have to reopen today's lesson.
- These are just some of the basics of typing and using a keyboard. As I mentioned before, different keyboards have different functions built in. I work on a Mac keyboard so from my keyboard I can adjust the volume of my computer, play my music in itunes, eject CDs, and play DVDs. Like computer mice keyboards can also be wireless.
Do you know some of the other functions a keyboard has? Do you see any keys on the keyboard you're using that we didn't talk about?
Assignment
Test out everything you learned today by writing me a letter in the comment box below and clicking (ONCE) "post comment." If you already knew everything we talked about today you can tell me what you would like to learn or tell me something you think I forgot to talk about.
When you're all done we will go over the questions again.
Pre/Post Question Review
1. What is the middle button on a mouse used for?
A. There is no middle button.
B. Decoration.
C. Scrolling.
D. Saving images.
2. How many times do you need to click on a link for it to load?
A. As many times as it takes for it to pop up.
B. Once.
C. Twice.
D. It doesn't matter as long as you click it.
3. What is the tab key used for?
A. Making a space or an indent.
B. Jumping textboxes.
C. All of the above.
D. None of the above.
4. T or F - All computer mice and keyboards need to be connected to a computer by a wire in order to work.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Typing Lessons
Today we're going to go back to the computer basics by focusing some time on how to type! I've noticed that a few of us are still struggling with how to use the keyboard, so today we'll check out some lessons and games that will help you improve your typing skills.
Start by going to this website: http://www.freetypinggame.net/free-typing-lesson.asp
This is a freeware lesson. Freeware is a type of software developers allow you to use for free. Sometimes it is just a demo of a bigger program you have to buy. Sometimes it's a demo of a bigger program you can still download for free. Since we are just trying it out, our demo will do just fine.
If you have access to a computer at home or anywhere else you can always use your Google searching skills to find typing lessons and games online. Just go to your Google search bar or Google.com and type in "typing games" or "typing lessons" or "free typing games" or "free typing lessons" then see if you can find a site that you like!
For your reference, here are the questions we went over today. When we do the post test--put your notes away!
1. What keys on the keyboard do you rest your index fingers on when typing?
a. D & K
b. G & H
c. F & J
d. None of the above.
2. To capitalize a letter what key do you have to hold down first?
a. cap locks
b. control
c. delete
d. shift
3. What keys on the keyboard do you rest your pinky fingers on when typing?
a. S & L
b. A & ;
c. X & >
d. None of the above
EXTRA CREDIT!
What country is developing touchable holograms?
a. America
b. China
c. Japan
d. Switzerland
Start by going to this website: http://www.freetypinggame.net/free-typing-lesson.asp
This is a freeware lesson. Freeware is a type of software developers allow you to use for free. Sometimes it is just a demo of a bigger program you have to buy. Sometimes it's a demo of a bigger program you can still download for free. Since we are just trying it out, our demo will do just fine.
If you have access to a computer at home or anywhere else you can always use your Google searching skills to find typing lessons and games online. Just go to your Google search bar or Google.com and type in "typing games" or "typing lessons" or "free typing games" or "free typing lessons" then see if you can find a site that you like!
For your reference, here are the questions we went over today. When we do the post test--put your notes away!
1. What keys on the keyboard do you rest your index fingers on when typing?
a. D & K
b. G & H
c. F & J
d. None of the above.
2. To capitalize a letter what key do you have to hold down first?
a. cap locks
b. control
c. delete
d. shift
3. What keys on the keyboard do you rest your pinky fingers on when typing?
a. S & L
b. A & ;
c. X & >
d. None of the above
EXTRA CREDIT!
What country is developing touchable holograms?
a. America
b. China
c. Japan
d. Switzerland
Friday, February 18, 2011
Shopping Online
Shopping online can be really fun and rewarding--as long as you know how to do it safely!
If you're someone who has trouble getting out and about, or you don't like being mixed in with crowds of people, or you like to find a specific item for a good price--then shopping online is a good option for you.
Here are some tips and resources for online shopping.
PayPal - PayPal works somewhat like an organizer and online bank. It SAFELY and SECURELY stores your bank information and credit card information so when you shop online you can purchase items through PayPal. When you buy something from a website using PayPal the website you are buying from never sees your information--PayPal processes the transaction in a way that keeps everything, but your shipping address, hidden. PayPal has been trusted for years and is very selective about which website they allow to use their system. They even have a new feature now where you can buy MoneyPaks from stores and put money directly into your PayPal account. This is good for people who are still uncomfortable about putting their credit information online or do not have a bank account or credit card to use. If you are someone interested in starting your own online store or are looking to raise money online PayPal offers services to websites to do this. Chances are, if a website uses PayPal it can be trusted, but you should still make sure that everything else on the website is legitimate (and also always make sure that what they're saying is PayPal is ACTUALLY PayPal and not a scam to get your PayPal information!)
eBay - Many of you may already be familiar with eBay. It is a great website for all people to sell their goods online--whether it's used or even brand new! eBay has the option of using PayPal to process payments. The website is trustworthy--but sometimes the sellers are not! Before buying an item always look at a sellers star rating and feedback! If they have low ratings and bad feedback, then you should probably save yourself the trouble and look somewhere else. A 90% rating or higher is best--but personally I won't buy from anyone who has less than a 98% rating.
etsy - This is a fantastic resource for artists and people who like handcrafted or vintage goods! It's like eBay except that people are only allowed to sell vintage goods, things they have made themselves, or supplies for various art projects. You MUST have a PayPal account to sell on this website and generally sellers prefer that people buy their items with a PayPal account. (I told you, PayPal is one of the most trusted services online!) If you're someone who really enjoys handmade goods you can spend hours just browsing etsy. It's amazing how creative people can be! As a side note, if you are interested in opening your own etsy shop let me know and we can work on it together!
There are millions of other great websites and online resources for shopping! (You can even buy your groceries online--let me know if you want to learn more about that!) These are just a few of my favorites. Feel free to share some of your favorites with me, each other, or on our blog.
Things to keep in mind when shopping online!
1. Only trust websites that have a closed lock at the bottom right corner of your web browser. That means that this is a secure website and all private information you share on a website is locked and secure. This lock cannot be faked!
2. Always check the web address of a website you are shopping on, if it doesn't match up--it's a fake! For example. If I'm shopping on Barnesandnoble.com then the address bar must have barnesandnoble.com in the web address. This could be shop.barnesandnoble.com or secure.barnesandnoble.com, or some sort of combination---but it absolutely must say somewhere barnesandnoble.com! Not ishopbarnesandnoble.com or webbarnesandnoble.com or barnesandnobleonlineshopping.com or brnsandnble.com these can all potentially be fakes, even if the website looks legitimate. These scams are setup in order to steal your information!
3. Don't trust the free iPod advertisements or the e-mails that say you've won a thousand dollars or anything like that. If it's not a scam then it's just a waste of your time. The sad thing is that some of these could be legitimate, but there's no way of knowing the real from the fakes. It's not worth the risk.
4. If you're new to the internet and/or shopping online I would suggest starting by only shopping at major websites, even though there are a lot of small shops on the internet that you can use. Once you feel comfortable and confident using those you can move on to the smaller websites.
5. Have fun and stay safe, if something seems suspicious then just avoid it. It could be safe, but when it comes to your financial identity it's better to be safe than sorry.
If there are questions you still have or topics I did not cover here, please feel free to ask.
If you're someone who has trouble getting out and about, or you don't like being mixed in with crowds of people, or you like to find a specific item for a good price--then shopping online is a good option for you.
Here are some tips and resources for online shopping.
PayPal - PayPal works somewhat like an organizer and online bank. It SAFELY and SECURELY stores your bank information and credit card information so when you shop online you can purchase items through PayPal. When you buy something from a website using PayPal the website you are buying from never sees your information--PayPal processes the transaction in a way that keeps everything, but your shipping address, hidden. PayPal has been trusted for years and is very selective about which website they allow to use their system. They even have a new feature now where you can buy MoneyPaks from stores and put money directly into your PayPal account. This is good for people who are still uncomfortable about putting their credit information online or do not have a bank account or credit card to use. If you are someone interested in starting your own online store or are looking to raise money online PayPal offers services to websites to do this. Chances are, if a website uses PayPal it can be trusted, but you should still make sure that everything else on the website is legitimate (and also always make sure that what they're saying is PayPal is ACTUALLY PayPal and not a scam to get your PayPal information!)
eBay - Many of you may already be familiar with eBay. It is a great website for all people to sell their goods online--whether it's used or even brand new! eBay has the option of using PayPal to process payments. The website is trustworthy--but sometimes the sellers are not! Before buying an item always look at a sellers star rating and feedback! If they have low ratings and bad feedback, then you should probably save yourself the trouble and look somewhere else. A 90% rating or higher is best--but personally I won't buy from anyone who has less than a 98% rating.
etsy - This is a fantastic resource for artists and people who like handcrafted or vintage goods! It's like eBay except that people are only allowed to sell vintage goods, things they have made themselves, or supplies for various art projects. You MUST have a PayPal account to sell on this website and generally sellers prefer that people buy their items with a PayPal account. (I told you, PayPal is one of the most trusted services online!) If you're someone who really enjoys handmade goods you can spend hours just browsing etsy. It's amazing how creative people can be! As a side note, if you are interested in opening your own etsy shop let me know and we can work on it together!
There are millions of other great websites and online resources for shopping! (You can even buy your groceries online--let me know if you want to learn more about that!) These are just a few of my favorites. Feel free to share some of your favorites with me, each other, or on our blog.
Things to keep in mind when shopping online!
1. Only trust websites that have a closed lock at the bottom right corner of your web browser. That means that this is a secure website and all private information you share on a website is locked and secure. This lock cannot be faked!
2. Always check the web address of a website you are shopping on, if it doesn't match up--it's a fake! For example. If I'm shopping on Barnesandnoble.com then the address bar must have barnesandnoble.com in the web address. This could be shop.barnesandnoble.com or secure.barnesandnoble.com, or some sort of combination---but it absolutely must say somewhere barnesandnoble.com! Not ishopbarnesandnoble.com or webbarnesandnoble.com or barnesandnobleonlineshopping.com or brnsandnble.com these can all potentially be fakes, even if the website looks legitimate. These scams are setup in order to steal your information!
3. Don't trust the free iPod advertisements or the e-mails that say you've won a thousand dollars or anything like that. If it's not a scam then it's just a waste of your time. The sad thing is that some of these could be legitimate, but there's no way of knowing the real from the fakes. It's not worth the risk.
4. If you're new to the internet and/or shopping online I would suggest starting by only shopping at major websites, even though there are a lot of small shops on the internet that you can use. Once you feel comfortable and confident using those you can move on to the smaller websites.
5. Have fun and stay safe, if something seems suspicious then just avoid it. It could be safe, but when it comes to your financial identity it's better to be safe than sorry.
If there are questions you still have or topics I did not cover here, please feel free to ask.
Friday, February 11, 2011
venus websites 2/11/11
1.
Inner Ear Deafness
http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/summary/97/5/627
2.
brussel sprouts with bacon
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/brussels-sprouts-with-bacon-recipe/index.html
Inner Ear Deafness
http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/summary/97/5/627
2.
brussel sprouts with bacon
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/brussels-sprouts-with-bacon-recipe/index.html
Friday, February 4, 2011
Smart University is a great place to be!
I just love going to Smart University to learn and form friendships with all the wonderful ladies that come here. It is a safe, supportive place with a great staff that is always there to help with any problem that we have. I'm so glad to be here.
Madeline Chiclacos
Madeline Chiclacos
Madeline Chiclacos Kindness goes a long way
A little kindness goes a long, long way. A simple act of kindness may be just opening up the door for someone or a smile when someone feels down. We should all practice this kindness once a day or even better a few times a day. Try it, it works.
Madeline
Madeline
Saving Pictures and Recognizing File Extensions
Many of you know how to save wallpaper images (those are the pictures that show up on your desktop) but did you know you could save picture to your computer too?
With those pictures you can attach, send, or print if you want to. Just remember that the quality of pictures found on the internet is not always good!
Here's how to save a picture:
1. Find a picture you want to save.
2. Right click on the picture (only once) so that a drop down menu appears.
3. Pick "Save Picture As...." or "Save Image As..."
4. Choose the folder you want the picture to go in to. You can also change the name of the file.
6. Click the "Save" button.
You just saved a picture!
Now what can you do with it? Well how about we put our new saved pictures in a post?
How to post a picture on our blog:
1. Log in and start a new post.
2. Click the icon that looks like a picture.
3. Click "Choose Files..." or "Browse..." this may look different depending on the computer you're on.
4. Open the file and click on the name of the picture (or thumbnail of the picture) you want to post.
5. Click "Add Selected"
Your picture should show up in the post!
You may have noticed that when you save your picture a ".jpg" or a ".gif" showed up. These are called file extensions. Like the extension number on a phone, the extension on a file sorts the category of the file.
Think of the computer as a receptionist and you, the user, are a caller. The extension at the end of the file tells the computer which department you’re “trying to call.” Without the file extension your call is lost.
Here are some very basic file extensions and what they mean. We can add to the list as a class if we find more. The file extensions we'll be looking at today are highlighted.
.txt – Simple text document.
.doc or .docx – Microsoft Word file for text documents.
.jpg – or jpeg, Joint Photographic Experts Group. Image file most commonly used for still digital images.
.gif – Graphics Interchange Format. Image file that can hold transparencies and animations. Typically used for animated graphics and icons.
.png – Portable Network Graphics. Improved graphic extension. Smooth like .jpgs, but can hold crispness and transparencies like .gifs. However, is not supported on older computers.
.pdf – Portable Document Format. Used for flyers, applications, articles, printable documents. Needs Acrobat Reader to be opened.
.mp3 - Based off of Moving Picture Expert Group (MPEG). Standard file format for music and audio.
.mp4 or mp4v – DVD quality audio and video, mostly used on iPods.
TODAY'S ASSIGNMENT!
Now that you know how to save pictures, how to post pictures, and what file extensions are you can complete today's assignment.
1. Grab a partner. If you have little computer experience or are unsure, make sure your partner seems to know what they're doing and visa versa.
2. Go to Google at least one .jpg and one .gif
3. Go to the blog and post your findings, label which one is which.
4. Publish your post!
Try and pick images that reflect your mood today!
Hint: .jpgs are the easiest to find, but if you're having trouble with the .gifs try this website: http://www.animatedgif.net/
Hint: Another way to find pictures is to just google the file extension in Google Images.
With those pictures you can attach, send, or print if you want to. Just remember that the quality of pictures found on the internet is not always good!
Here's how to save a picture:
1. Find a picture you want to save.
2. Right click on the picture (only once) so that a drop down menu appears.
3. Pick "Save Picture As...." or "Save Image As..."
4. Choose the folder you want the picture to go in to. You can also change the name of the file.
6. Click the "Save" button.
You just saved a picture!
Now what can you do with it? Well how about we put our new saved pictures in a post?
How to post a picture on our blog:
1. Log in and start a new post.
2. Click the icon that looks like a picture.
3. Click "Choose Files..." or "Browse..." this may look different depending on the computer you're on.
4. Open the file and click on the name of the picture (or thumbnail of the picture) you want to post.
5. Click "Add Selected"
Your picture should show up in the post!
You may have noticed that when you save your picture a ".jpg" or a ".gif" showed up. These are called file extensions. Like the extension number on a phone, the extension on a file sorts the category of the file.
Think of the computer as a receptionist and you, the user, are a caller. The extension at the end of the file tells the computer which department you’re “trying to call.” Without the file extension your call is lost.
Here are some very basic file extensions and what they mean. We can add to the list as a class if we find more. The file extensions we'll be looking at today are highlighted.
.txt – Simple text document.
.doc or .docx – Microsoft Word file for text documents.
.jpg – or jpeg, Joint Photographic Experts Group. Image file most commonly used for still digital images.
.gif – Graphics Interchange Format. Image file that can hold transparencies and animations. Typically used for animated graphics and icons.
.png – Portable Network Graphics. Improved graphic extension. Smooth like .jpgs, but can hold crispness and transparencies like .gifs. However, is not supported on older computers.
.pdf – Portable Document Format. Used for flyers, applications, articles, printable documents. Needs Acrobat Reader to be opened.
.mp3 - Based off of Moving Picture Expert Group (MPEG). Standard file format for music and audio.
.mp4 or mp4v – DVD quality audio and video, mostly used on iPods.
TODAY'S ASSIGNMENT!
Now that you know how to save pictures, how to post pictures, and what file extensions are you can complete today's assignment.
1. Grab a partner. If you have little computer experience or are unsure, make sure your partner seems to know what they're doing and visa versa.
2. Go to Google at least one .jpg and one .gif
3. Go to the blog and post your findings, label which one is which.
4. Publish your post!
Try and pick images that reflect your mood today!
Hint: .jpgs are the easiest to find, but if you're having trouble with the .gifs try this website: http://www.animatedgif.net/
Hint: Another way to find pictures is to just google the file extension in Google Images.
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